Statehouse Update: Holcomb Defends HIP 2.0, Airbnb Bill Advances

Indiana uses Medicaid expansion dollars available through Obamacare to pay for HIP 2.0, its health care program for low-income Hoosiers. The proposed health care reform bill advanced by Congressional Republicans would put that funding in jeopardy in the next few years. Gov. Eric Holcomb says he supports reform of the federal health care law but also says he wants to see Medicaid expansion protected.

Testimony in a Senate committee this week on a comprehensive road funding bill echoed testimony from the House earlier this session. Groups like the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and construction trade unions testified in support of higher fuel taxes and new fees to pay for roads. And groups like the Central Indiana Tea Parties and convenience store owners spoke in opposition.

And a Senate committee advanced legislation this week that stops local governments from banning short-term rentals, such as Airbnb. The proposed legislation would establish some guidelines for the rentals. Those include a ban on renting more than 30 days in a row and 180 days total in a year.